Help and advice if your energy supplier goes out of business
If your energy supplier goes out of business, you will not stop receiving gas and electricity, Ofgem www.ofgem.gov.uk, the energy supplier regulator, will move your account to a new supplier - this may take a few weeks.
If you're in credit with your supplier, your money is protected, and you will be paid back
During this time, we would suggest that you:
- Make a note or take a photo of your meter reading as soon as possible
- Download any bills, while you're waiting for your new supplier to contact you.
- Don’t cancel direct debits straightaway. Wait for your new account to be set up before cancelling existing arrangements. If you're behind with payments, you'll still have to pay the money owed.
- Don’t switch tariff or supplier until your account is moved to the new supplier. You might find it harder to get any money you’re owed if you switch before this happens
- Once your new account with your new supplier is live, contact your new supplier to check whether you are on a standard tariff, and if they have a cheaper one that you can transfer to
Support and Advice
We have listed different organizations that can supply additional support or advice on this topic
- The Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB) webpage for if your energy supplier has gone bust
- The Priority Service Register offers extra help to people who make people who be in a vulnerable situation with utility services.
- Switching energy supplier - Read the Citizen Advice Bureau's advice on switching supplier first
- For information on the Warm Home Discount Scheme, Winter Fuel Payment, Cold Weather Payments visit: Manchester Helping Hands website
- Free and impartial help with money, backed by the government | MoneyHelper
- Keep up-to-date with energy market changes www.ofgem.gov.uk
- Energy Advice Team — Citizens Advice Manchester
Debt and Wellbeing advice services
- Samaritans – call free, any time, from any phone – 116 123
- For confidential 24/7 crisis text support for times when you need immediate assistance, text "SHOUT" to 85258
- Be Well Service – one-to-one support 0161 470 7120
- Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) – free, confidential, impartial advice 03444 111 222
- Debt advice - Gateway M40 provide debt advice with full resolution or call: 0161 202 3511
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), for people who are down or have hit a wall for any reason call fee and anonymous 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight) or webchat with trained CALM staff www.thecalmzone.net
- Free 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247. Free Male Advice Line 0808 801 0327